Pearce begins full-time reign with call to arms

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Stuart Pearce began his reign as the full-time England Under-21 manager yesterday by offering Gabriel Agbonlahor, the Aston Villa forward, a fresh beginning and by calling on Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, to allow Theo Walcott to fulfil his potential.

Pearce yesterday signed a two-year contract with the FA to continue the role that he undertook on a temporary basis last month when leading England to the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands.

And Pearce, who has already been in touch with Sven-G?ran Eriksson, his successor as Manchester City manager, intends to encourage some of England’s most